Algerian postcaesarean surgical site infections: A cross-sectional investigation of the epidemiology, bacteriology, and antibiotic resistance profile.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are one of the most common health care-associated infections in low and middle-income countries. The aims of this cross-sectional descriptive study were to estimate the frequency of postcaesarean infection with associated clinical characteristics and the antibiotic resistance profile of bacterial isolates.

METHODS: Patients who underwent a cesarean section at the obstetrics and gynecology department of the hospital in Annaba, Algeria were included. Each woman was followed postoperatively for 30 days and sociodemographic data were collected. Culture-based microbiological methods were used to identify the causative bacteria and determine their antibiotic resistance phenotype and molecular characterization.

RESULTS: Among 1,810 patients, we recorded 36 (1.9%) SSIs. Most patients had undergone an emergency delivery (75%) and low educational level (72.2%). The most frequent maternal pathologies were Body Mass Index ≥ 30 (63.9%), scarred uteri (58.3%), anemia (55.6%), and an American Society of Anaesthesiologists score between II and III (33.3%). Of the 43 bacteria isolated, Enterobacteriaceae were the most frequent (62.8%), predominated by Escherichia coli strains (43.5%), a majority of which were extended-spectrum β-lactamases carriers (62.9%). Although gram-positive cocci were less frequent (37.2%), a majority of Enterococcus faecalis (56.2%) were observed and 2 strains of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium harboring the vanA gene were identified.

CONCLUSIONS: Extensive surveillance of at-risk populations should be integrated to prevent the occurrence of SSIs.